Singapore Expats

Hi all,

Recently some nasty mold-esque stuff started growing on my wooden furniture - wardrobe, side table, etc (mostly from IKEA). I tried cleaning with the vinegar method, but it's coming back, which makes me wonder whether this is indeed mold. The nasty-looking stuff looks more like litte clouds of dust (sometimes white, sometimes not) accumulating to form big clouds and skattered primarily around the edges of the doors and frames, as well as around joints, corners and holes.

Has anyone experienced this problem before? Any thoughts on what it is and/or how I can address it? I live pretty high up (above 10th floor), keep my windows open most of the day, have decent ventilation, but rarely ever use the AC.

Few supporting images at the following link:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1063951184 ... directlink

Thanks,

Alex

It is mildew. And that high moisture content in air is to be blamed for, which is expected with the current monsoon season.

Not sure how to advise on the infested wooden structures but one of the first steps you need to do is to dehumidify your place! Mildew thrive very well in high humidity and we're seeing lotsa people among us having the same problem recently, no thanks to the rainy season.

aas294 wrote:Hi all,

Recently some nasty mold-esque stuff started growing on my wooden furniture - wardrobe, side table, etc (mostly from IKEA). I tried cleaning with the vinegar method, but it's coming back, which makes me wonder whether this is indeed mold. The nasty-looking stuff looks more like litte clouds of dust (sometimes white, sometimes not) accumulating to form big clouds and skattered primarily around the edges of the doors and frames, as well as around joints, corners and holes.

Has anyone experienced this problem before? Any thoughts on what it is and/or how I can address it? I live pretty high up (above 10th floor), keep my windows open most of the day, have decent ventilation, but rarely ever use the AC.

Few supporting images at the following link:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1063951184 ... directlink

Thanks,

Alex

Hi Alex,
The stuff in your photos is mold,
For over a year++ now, we have noticed that Ikea's compressed "wood" boards and the edges in between laminates, will produce a white colored mold, and it come from the furniture itself, probably due to their compressed wood supplier or has been infected during storage before manufacture. (Ikea will refund, call them)
(there are a few other furniture company that has this same problem)
Oh, please also check the bottom of your Ikea sofa, we also have found that the wood there to be disturbing.

In your photos of the shelves, note that these mold comes from the side of the movable shelf which is not laminated / painted up.

Look behind your movable display cabinets , book shelves where there is a raw wood backing.

And by looking at your photos, those rooms are deemed to be infected.

We have written a document, on how to live Mold Free in Singapore / Asia
which can be found in http://www.evdisinfection.com/live-mold-free-in-sg.html

Under "Mold Problem" you will also find very similar mold photos.
Hope this helps.